ON THE LAKE / ALONG THE RIVER

Saw this notice at the boat ramp - sad news.

Early morning yesterday was beautiful with perfect light creating views not seen previously.  The sun on the water and surrounding green at the end of the Indian Cave Road was spectacular!

 I didn't mind waiting in the parking lot this morning for fishermen to appear.  The early morning was all about soft light and fantastic colors.

The intricate designs of a simple spider web indicate that it really isn't that simple at all.

Old things are important on mornings such as this.

Everything is morning fresh and the critters slowly materialize to start their day.  Its slow this morning - just slow.

 Below:  he almost looks like a stick out there.

 I call the next photo "Death of a Forest".  It is kudzu and it runs rampant in Tennessee gobbling up miles and miles of forest with its perfectly tight canopy that blocks out all sun.  It grow unrestrained and is a beautiful death for all beneath.

Should I cross or not?

 Appears to be safe enough.

 I'll be across here before anyone knows.

 Well, better pick it up a bit.

 Ah, that's better.  The woods is just ahead.

Its OK Ethel.  Come on and cross the road.

 There is a guy in a truck looking at me.

 I better get on across here.  I can hear a lot of clicking from that truck.  Camera.  Oh no!

 Hurry!

 Faster!

 Gotta run, gotta run, gotta run!

I was on Douglas Lake the day before and snapped a few shots down there.  Nothing spectacular ever happens on Douglas but I did get a couple nice pics.

 He's a leopard frog and the first frog I have ever seen on the shoreline of a lake in Tennessee

Below is the flood plain at Rankin Bottoms.  This area is normally covered by five feet of river but is high and dry now due to the lowering of the lake in preparation for winter and spring.

 I stopped at the flood plain and noticed these old tracks.  They are huge and I laid a dime in one to judge the size of them.  If that's a dog, its an enormous one.  Almost looks like a bear track.

 And yes, I'm still playing with the white balance adjustments for the great egret.  I'm getting it I think.

 Fall (Autumn) is definitely coming on fast.

2ND VISIT TO SEVEN ISLANDS BIRDING PARK

All shots accomplished with a Sigma 150-500 mm telephoto lens & Canon 50D

I hadn't planned to return to this place so quickly but did so because I was so impressed with it the first time I visited there.  I don't think that a blog filled with pictures of plants is a very exciting blog even though there are those who adore birds and could seek them out and watch them all day long.  I wanted, however, to only photograph birds this day but found them extremely elusive so reverted back to the plants that are highly diverse in this park.

There is one thing I really enjoy about this newest state park and that is lots of personal space - solitude and quiet. 

 I sat on the bench above and looked out at the view you see below and suddenly was motivated to write - something, anything.  But, alas I had no writing paper.  The bench is shaded and a very slight breeze could be felt there on top of the hill.

 There are hundreds of bird boxes all over this park that are labeled with numbers and no doubt GPS coordinates have been recorded for each of them.

 The little hi rise above is a bat house.  Note the opening along the side at the bottom.  This is where the little bats enter.  They climb up the side and cling there.  A better shot of the opening is below:  There may be an entrance for a small wren type bird under the comb of the roof - an extra chamber for a feathered friend.

 Fall is definitely getting close.

 This little rocket was blasting from flower to flower spending only three or four seconds at each one and I had to anticipate him stopping at this particular thistle and focused on the plant prior his arrival.  Whew!

 The shot below is one of my favorites.  It is, well, abstract in a way.  It makes me continually scan over it.  In a way it is off center yet not because there are things happening on the left side of the picture.  The colors are all natural and yet seem artificial at the same time.  No, I'm not drinking.  Hard to believe this shot was taken with a 500 milometer telephoto lens.

 Below:  the passion flower and Tennessee state flower.

 The wild grasses have lost the light brown colors and have assumed a dark gold tint over the past two weeks.  This is an indication that an early Fall is on hand.

A mockingbird sings out his many learned perfect notes that have been stolen from the professional song bird writers, wrens, canaries, warblers and others.  No matter as his voice is a wonder to listen to.

As noted earlier, the day is in the mid nineties and the birds are all deep in heavy foliage making them difficult to find and photograph.  I think I'll leave the plant shots alone for awhile as I'm not sure if they are interesting enough to gather general attention from readers.  The birds should be more available in the early Fall days and I should be able to gather some very interesting bird pictures at that time if I focus my attention at the endeavor.  So, that's it for this entry.  I like plants and am growing an acute interest in birds so bear with me on this.  I appreciate your readership and if there is anything wildlife wise that any of you would like to see - let me know and I'll try my best to turn it  up for you.